A few questions about expressing

[WestYorkshireGirl]

I am a new Mum with 11 week old DD. Today I tried expressing milk for the first time with a manual pump and I have some questions and would be grateful for some advice.

I expressed first thing (at same time as feeding her) and got a full bottle of milk quite quickly, but this was on my 'better' breast (the one my DD prefers and where I can feel a definite let down, which is always quite full and bigger than the other) and she hadn't fed from it since 10pm the night before as she only woke once and she had the other side. When she feeds, I just give her one breast for 30-45 mins or however long she wants it; however, I am guessing that it's not good to leave one breast so long in case it leads to a blocked duct?

When I expressed from the same breast late this afternoon I only got an ounce or so and later when I tried the less favourite and also less full breast (and smaller) I got barely half an ounce. Does it get better the more you do it or am I only going to get a decent amount through leaving one breast to fill up? Is this bad e.g could lead to blocked duct? Also feel a bit sore - again, does this get better?

Another question, can you swap to the other breast mid-feed or should you not mix milk from different breasts into one bottle?

Also, re. storage. The bags from Boots said in the instructions that I couldn't add milk to a bag so I've now got 2 bags in the fridge, but am I right in thinking I can add them together in the bottle with contents of other bags to make one feed? If I wanted to use them on Sunday, would it be best to freeze them?

Any advice appreciated -Thanks!

It's best to freeze in 3-5oz batches as this is how much a typical feed is and it saves you wasting any

In the fridge milk is fine up to 8 days (I did a week loads of time) so if you know you'll need it in the next week, don't bother with freezing. I used to wait a few days and then freeze any surplus. If it's spoilt it is just like cows milk and smells rank (left a bottle in a changing bag once ). If it smells fine it is fine.

You can add expressed milk to that previously expressed in a bottle (I therefore don't see why you can't add to the bad). Just it has to be dated by the oldest milk in there. You can to frozen milk as well if the amount is smaller than is already there.

Most people find that they can express the most in the morning and that yield can be quite variable. Most people also find that if they express at the same time each day (or in the same part of routine) they after a few days yield will go up (but it will also dip again if you don't do it for a few days). when I was pumping at work, sometimes I would get 4oz sometime 8 or 9, mostly averaged 6 (but I was missing feeds)

you can completely switch breasts, that is more than fine and what I think nearly everyone does.

it is normal to feel a bit sore at first.if it lasts then you'll need to look at your specific breast shape and pump shape issues. For example with the medela's you can order different size shields for different sized nipples. They have a page online showing what it should look like. If the problem persists you can look up your pump, try a different one or come and start a new thread.

If your DD feeds from one side, then that's the way it is. Plenty of people experience this. Do you offer both sides each time or is it a case that whenever you've tried she's always refused so you don't anymore. Mine used to be a one sider until 6 weeks

hope this answers your questions, if not post some more :)

Yes, you can get better at doing it. Breast compressions can help, but expressing is partly a learnt art and you'll get more used to letting down for a pump. You'll always get more in less time if you're full though. When I'm expressing regularly (DD is going through some kind of sleep regression atm!) I tend to express one side in the morning and DD then has the other. As I'm fuller she rarely wants more than one side (but can still get more out of the pumped side if she wants).

I haven't used a manual, but you do have to take it a bit gently at first IMO. Make sure your nipple isn't touching the side of the funnel though.

Yes, you can swap. Ideally you'd pump on one breast until the flow slows right down so that you know you have a good balanced feed in there, but it's not crucial.

You can add within 24 hrs before freezing as long as you date with the earliest date. I put the extra in the bottle in the fridge to cool before adding, but I know some people don't bother. If you're using the milk in a few days, I wouldn't bother freezing. Breastmilk can usually last 5-8 days when fresh, but once it's frozen it lasted less than 24 hrs when defrosted IME, so you have more time to play with if you keep it in the fridge for a couple of days.

I only used bags for freezing - they're one use only so getting a few bottles for fridge storage that you can sterilise and reuse is cheaper in the longterm.